Mahler 8th Symphony

RV, for the most part we agree I think. I cut my teeth on Mahler with Levine's 7th. I still prefer it but there are several versions out now that are pretty good. I do like MMT's version with the SFO. FWIW I attended a different performance of it live in SF, sat in the lower balcony, and was very disappointed, either me or MMT went to sleep! I love the 9th, many excellent recordings but I remain very partial to Bernstein's performance with the Berliner Phil, a 1979 live recording that just blows me away! If you have never heard it try to.

We probably disagree on the importance (to ourselves, of course,) of Mahler's 8th, and I would have to replace it with the 6th. It's got some real meat on the bones both in the lyrical portions and more dramatic ones, and the ending is to die for (couldn't resist). 

And, speaking of dying, or rising as it might really be, the last movement of the 2d is a lease breaker except, thank God, I don't have a lease to break. Emotionally speaking, for me at least, it falls into the category of the 1st act of Puccini's La Boheme performed by Freni & Gedda and conducted by Thomas Shippers. 

All good stuff!

Newbee,

It took me many years to get into the 7th. It was a vast wasteland to me. Finally, an Abbado recording did the trick. Now whenever I hear it I think it’s the best.
The finale of the 8th in the Solti recording emotionally blows me away and is a lease breaker as well.
The 1st movement of the 9th may be some of the most profound music ever written.

i’ll give the Bernstein recording of the 9th another listen.

It’s the one Mahler Symphony that I play infrequently.  Solti/Chicago for the thrills.  This work doesn’t respond to subtlety 

@mahler123 

 Which one??

Newbee,

There was a time when it was impossible for me listen to the 9th without tears coming to my eyes. The wistful longing of the 1st movement  was unbearable. Unfortunately I’m not able to reach that level of emotion these days. It is however still shakingly beautiful to me.
The Bernstein recording definitely rises to that level. His approach is a little over the top to me. I’m used to a more stoic presentation.
Believe it or not my first encounter with it was from a Russian conductor: Kirill Kondrashin. It changed my life. Since then I’ve gone through a myriad of performances including a live one by Solti in Carnegie Hall.
The Bernstein is right up there with the best.